Nerines are one of the best known autumn flowering lilies, bearing sturdy stems with long-lasting brightly coloured bold iridescent pink blooms that look stunning on a dull autumn day. They have a faint musky scent when carried on a breeze. During the summer months the strappy, glossy leaves appear, to be followed in September and October by the flowers bursting forth from the tall stems. Nerines are striking looking autumn flowering bulbs that give a burst of exotic colour to garden borders and pots when other summer plants are beginning to fade. Nerines were first introduced from South Africa to the UK by Athelstan Cornish Bowden in 1903, when he sent some bulbs to his mother, hence the name, Nerine Bowdenii. They are sometimes referred to as Guernsey lilies but this applies to Nerine sarniensis which became naturalised in Guernsey, after a ship travelling from Japan was wrecked in the 17th century, but it is not a hardy variety, like Nerine bowdenii.Nerines look stunning grown in large terracotta pots or enmasse in blocks or thick rows at the front of a sunny border planted alongside Colchicum (autumn crocus) and Cyclamen hederifolium which are both good autumn flowering companion plants, all giving their best in the months leading up to winter giving an extended season of colour and form.

A sunny well-drained spot is ideal for Nerines to thrive, planted 7-10cms apart and in soil that is fairly poor and on the dry side. If grown in too rich a soil the leaves will excel at the expense of the flowers. Nerines prefer to grow in clumps, undisturbed, where they will give colourful displays every autumn.Nerine bulbs can be planted at a depth of around 6cms as this will give protection from frost damage. Opinion is divided on this however, with some saying that the bulbs prefer to be just half-submerged in the soil. I think the best option is to plant them with the tips showing above the soil in their favourite location – sunny and well-drained. Ensure that you dry mulch the crowns well in the first winter or two with straw until they are established, but do not let the bulbs rot. They hate to be wet and cold in winter.

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For all orders under £40 in value we make a one off P&P charge of £3.95 per order.

If ordered with plants we will normally dispatch flower bulbs with your plant order during your first requested dispatch week. If you would prefer your flower bulbs to be dispatched separately (within two working days of ordering) please tick the “please dispatch this item separately” box on the shopping basket page. (an extra charge of £1.50 per item applies)

If you are not ordering any plants, we will normally dispatch your bulbs within two working days of ordering. Delivery is normally made within 3-5 working days of ordering. The delivery method (usually Royal Mail or Parcelforce) will be displayed in the shopping basket.